Unit 63 in Idaho presents a complex hunting scenario due to its significant amount of restricted DOE land, requiring hunters to navigate a mix of public and private lands effectively. Higher success rates are partly attributed to elk being drawn to private agricultural lands, where they can be more patternable early in the season, especially around water sources. Public land hunting is notably challenging due to high human activity, limited water, and increasing elk nocturnal behavior, influencing harvest success negatively unless hunters have access to private lands. Additionally, changing hunt codes and regulations such as short-range weapon restrictions add complexity, underscoring the necessity for thorough pre-hunt planning and local scouting.
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 160"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 120"-130" | 140"+ |
| Elk | Raghorn-280" | 300"+ |
| Antelope | 60"-65" | 65"+ |
High
Low
This big unit is east of Idaho Falls and includes most of the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, a nuclear reactor testing site that is closed to hunting. Mostly composed of sagebrush flats and agricultural fields mule deer, whitetail deer, antelope and moose can be found here.
Deer, elk and moose are harder to find here, but hunters take some big animals each year and antelope can usually be seen near crop fields.
High desert country mixed with private agricultural land and a few gently rolling hills. Most of the unit is open and easy to glass.
Public lands consist mostly of lands managed by the BLM. Hunters can reach primitive roads from Highway 26 in the south, Highways 33 and 20 near the center of the unit and Highway 22 in the north.
Mostly sagebrush and crops with some scattered junipers. Some marshes and willows are in the Mud Lake Wildlife Management Area.
Lodging and KOA camping is available along the east boundary of the unit in Blackfoot, Idaho Falls and Dubois. Hunters may camp at Mud Lake and almost anywhere on BLM land.
Roughly 2,009 square miles
65.4% public land
Elevations from 4,500-5,500 feet
Mud Lake Wildlife Management Area offers almost 9,000 acres of public hunting land
ATVs and UTVs could speed travel in some areas